201 Now a worthless fellow happened to be there whose name was Sheba , the son of Bichri , a Benjamite e ; and he blew the trumpet and said , " We have no portion in David , Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse ; Every man to his tents , O Israel !" 2 So all the men of Israel withdrew from following David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri ; but the men of Judah remained steadfast to their king , from the Jordan even to Jerusalem . 3 Then David came to his house at Jerusalem , and the king took the ten women , the concubines whom he had left to keep the house , and placed them under guard e and provided them with sustenance , but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death , living as widows .
4 Then the king said to Amasa , "Call out the men of Judah for me within three days , and be present here yourself ." 5 So Amasa went to call out the men of Judah , but he delayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him. 6 And David said to Abishai , "Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom ; take your lord's servants and pursue him, so that he does not find for himself fortified cities and escape from our sight ." 7 So Joab's men went out after him, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men ; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri . 8 When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon , Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was dressed e in his military attire e , and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened at his waist ; and as he went forward , it fell out. 9 Joab said to Amasa , "Is it well with you, my brother ?" And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa was not on guard against the sword which was in Joab's hand so he struck him in the belly with it and poured out his inward parts on the ground , and did not strike him again , and he died . Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri . 11 Now there stood by him one of Joab's young men , and said , "Whoever e favors Joab and whoever e is for David , let him follow Joab ." 12 But Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway . And when the man saw that all the people stood still , he removed Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still . 13 As soon as he was removed from the highway , all the men passed on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri .
14 Now he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel , even Beth-maacah , and all the Berites ; and they were gathered together and also went after him. 15 They came and besieged e him in Abel Beth-maacah , and they cast up a siege ramp against the city , and it stood by the rampart ; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction in order to topple the wall . 16 Then a wise woman called from the city , "Hear , hear ! Please tell Joab , 'Come here e that I may speak with you.' " 17 So he approached her, and the woman said , "Are you Joab ?" And he answered , "I am." Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your maidservant ." And he answered , "I am listening ." 18 Then she spoke , saying , "Formerly they used to say , 'They will surely ask advice at Abel ,' and thus they ended the dispute. 19 "I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel . You are seeking to destroy a city , even a mother in Israel . Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord ?" 20 Joab replied , "Far be it, far be it from me that I should swallow up or destroy ! 21 "Such is not the case . But a man from the hill country of Ephraim , Sheba the son of Bichri by name , has lifted up his hand against King David . Only hand him over , and I will depart from the city ." And the woman said to Joab , "Behold , his head will be thrown to you over the wall ." 22 Then the woman wisely came to all the people . And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab . So he blew the trumpet , and they were dispersed from the city , each to his tent . Joab also returned to the king at Jerusalem .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:1-22
Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:1-3
(Read 2 Samuel 20:1-3)
One trial arises after another for our good, till we reach the place where sin and sorrow are for ever done away. Angry disputers misunderstand or misconstrue one another's words; proud men will have every thing their own way, or wholly refuse their assistance. The favour of the many is not to be depended upon; and what have others to expect, when Hosanna to the Son of David was soon changed to Crucify him, crucify him?
Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:4-13
(Read 2 Samuel 20:4-13)
Joab barbarously murdered Amasa. The more plot there is in a sin, the worse it is. Joab contentedly sacrificed the interest both of the king and the kingdom to his personal revenge. But one would wonder with what face a murderer could pursue a traitor; and how, under such a load of guilt, he had courage to enter upon danger: his conscience was seared.
Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:14-22
(Read 2 Samuel 20:14-22)
Justly is that place attacked, which dares to harbour a traitor; nor will the heart fare better which indulges rebellious lusts, that will not have Christ to reign over them. A discreet woman, by her prudent management, satisfied Joab, and yet saved the city. Wisdom is not confined to rank or sex; it consists not in deep knowledge; but in understanding how to act as matters arise, that troubles may be turned away and benefits secured. A great deal of mischief would be prevented, if contending parties would understand one another. Let both sides be undeceived. The single condition of peace is, the surrender of the traitor. It is so in God's dealing with the soul, when besieged by conviction and distress; sin is the traitor; the beloved lust is the rebel: part with that, cast away the transgression, and all shall be well. There is no peace on any other terms.